The Greatest Sacrifice

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)

This week, as we remember the fallen soldiers who have given their lives for our freedom, we can’t help but also remember the great sacrifice that bought the freedom of our souls!

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)

Jesus Christ willing gave His life to purchase freedom for you and me; freedom from the darkness that draws us into behaviors, habits and life style choices that enslave us and take us far from the plan of grace and goodness that He holds for each of us. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most important event that planet Earth has ever seen. Have you experienced the freedom for your soul that His sacrifice bought?

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” (1 Cor. 15:3 & 4)

I’m sure God knew how easy it would be for us to forget this great sacrifice as we hurry through our busy days. He actually provides a regular reminder for us. He calls us to take part in Communion and with good reason. It helps us remember.

“Do this in remembrance of me. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” (1 Corinthians 11: 26)

In the business of “doing life” we often forget just what is actually proclaimed by Jesus’ death and His resurrection. It can so easily slip to the background of life and we can find ourselves living in dryness of soul, with divided hearts and sometimes with powerless, defeated lives that become burdened by the things that can enslave our souls.

Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves. That’s why He calls us to regularly remember Him; to keep proclaiming, in our individual lives, the truth of what His death on the cross means to us each day. Proclaim it out loud, right now:

I proclaim I am forgiven (Thank you Lord! You alone know how I need You.)

I proclaim I am loved (Thank you Lord that Your love is unconditional!)

I proclaim I am cleansed (Thank you Lord that my past is now behind me!)

I proclaim that by His grace I have all that I need (Thank you Lord for your undeserved grace and mercy to help me in my time of need!)

Do you believe it? The very same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is the same power that will be at work in your life as you believe and proclaim these truths.

Welcome His forgiveness and love.
Welcome His freedom.
Welcome the celebration at the Communion table.

Have your heart refreshed with forgiveness and wholeness as you remember the great sacrifice Jesus made for your freedom.

Father God,
Amaze my heart today with the truth of these proclamations. Thank you for the hope that Your death and resurrection revives in my heart! Fill me with Your Spirit and let Your resurrection power flow in new ways in my life. Help me to remember the power, through You, that is mine every day. Help me to grow into all You have planned for me to be and to do.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Question: How can you proclaim Jesus’ death and His resurrection today?

Thank you so very much for this devotion this morning because I needed it! Oh, how my God knows exactly what we need to hear and exactly when we need to hear it! God amazes me me daily how He uses His children to say exactly what we need to hear at just the moment we need to hear it! I’m truly touched daily by what you I know ar lead by our Heavenly Father to lead and touch others lives by writing what God has led you to write on this page! It was just what I needed today! Thank you again and please know you’ve been prayed for today!
God Bless you today and always,
Cynthia McGowan

Gail, Thank you for this tender, encouraging devotion. It has been water to this thirsty soul as I have allowed myself to get burdened and spiritually dry by the busy-ness of my life. And this spiritual dryness has enabled past enslavement to come knocking. I proclaimed ALOUD the truth that Christ’s death on the cross brings to all of us…including me. I am memorizing Galatians 5:1 and will pray it aloud all day. Again, thank you for allowing God to use your writing gifts for our good and His glory!